The results of a recent study conducted at Texas A&M University underscore the tremendous growth in Hass avocado consumption in the US and what this means in terms of economic benefits for both the US and Mexico. According to a press release from the Avocado Institute, US imports of avocados from Mexico have skyrocketed over the past 25 years, increasing by over 2 billion pounds annually. The benefit of this surge is obvious to Mexican growers, but as the study shows, it has also brought tremendous benefits to the US economy, boosting GDP by over $6 billion, creating nearly 60,000 jobs and nearly $4 billion in Dollars in labor has accounted for income. The latter also equates to $1.3 billion in US taxes.
“The new data is a testament to the positive impact that trade relations between the two countries can have on the broader economy,” notes Ron Campbell, executive director of Mexico’s Hass Avocado Importers Association (MHAIA) (via the press release).
The impact of avocados on US GDP is growing. In fact, it’s increased fivefold over the past 10 years — from $1.2 billion to $6.1 billion. But the benefits of the increased supply and demand for avocados extend beyond the border. As the press release points out, Mexican workers have also benefited as growth in avocado exports there has resulted in 78,000 new permanent jobs and over 300,000 more on a seasonal basis.
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